On 3 and 10 October, a large number of family members of the 649 Argentines killed in the 1982 conflict travelled to the Falklands Islands to dedicate the memorial at Darwin cemetery that was completed in 2004. Since then, a number of next of kin have individually visited the cenotaph. But the Families Commission has long wanted a formal inauguration ceremony.

The Falkland Islands Government agreed to such a dedication, and worked with the British Government and members of the Families Commission to make it happen. The event was made difficult by the considerable logistical problems and expense involved. But the British and Argentine Governments worked together and reached agreement on the major logistical arrangements, in particular the means of transport, in May 2009.

The visitors travelled to the Falkland Islands on the weekly scheduled LAN Chile flight in two groups, a week apart. The first group of 170 family members flew on Saturday 3 October, and with great support from Falkland Islanders and the British military they were taken by bus to the cemetery, where a religious ceremony was held to mark the event. The second group of 205 visitors did the same on Saturday 10 October, and as part of the second religious ceremony they placed a statue of Our Lady of Lujan in a specially constructed niche at the memorial. Family members were also able to leave messages and religious offerings for their loved ones in an urn installed at the cemetery for that purpose.

This was a positive and humanitarian event, conducted in a spirit of great respect and warmth.  Other such visits may well be possible in the future.  

The Falkland Islanders in any case always stand ready to welcome visitors from Argentina who, like any other visitors, can travel there with a valid passport whenever they like. About 3,500 Argentines took advantage of that last year, and either flew into the Falklands with the weekly LAN Chile flight from Santiago (or from Rio Gallegos once a month) or travelled on cruise ships from Ushuaia.

If you would like to know more about opportunities for visiting the Falklands, have a look at the Falklands tourism website at: www.falklandislands.com

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